Church of God Servant

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Volume 64, No. 10 64th Year Guthrie, Oklahoma $1.00 Per Year Jan., 1987

New Year Welcome, 1987As the old Year’s days are ending

And the New Year comes in view,Supplications we are sending

To our Father kind and true.How we trust His hand will guide us

In these troubled days we face,In each battle be beside us,

Hold us up, and give us grace.Times of peril ’round us hover,

Sin and wrong on every hand;Under His great wings is cover

And by faith alone we stand.But there’s joy in Christ, our Saviour,

On His bosom there is rest;In His fellowship and favour

We can have the very best.For His grace is all-sufficient,

When we’re weak, we can be strong;He can help to be efficient

Though we have to bear so long.Unto God Christ has ascended

Having conquered death and sin,Satan’s reign, thank God, is ended—

Vict’ry now is ours to win.His decree is everlasting:

“ I am with thee to the end!”All our burdens on Him casting,

Praises to Him we will send!Let us all fresh courage muster

To go forth His work to do,We can find in sorrow’s cluster

Blessings rich and ever new!Thus the New Year’s outlook brightens

In the light of grace divine,And we know His mercy lightens,

Causing happiness to shine.—Leslie C. Busbee

Receiving One Another as Christ Received Us

9Mo|ea|c9|ga|g9|E“ We then that are strong out to bear the

infirmities o f the weak, and not to please our­selves. Let every one o f us please his neighbor for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written afore­time were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort o f the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory o f God.” Romans 15:1-7.

Let us carefully consider the words o f our beloved brother Paul here. In chapter 14 he brought out that, because of varied customs and ideas, some who are weak in the faith can be despised and judged. He counsels us to receive the one who is weak in the faith not to doubtful disputations. Let us examine from the Greek words the meaning of the writer. What does he mean when he counsels us to receive one weak (unstable, undeveloped, or immature) in the faith, not to doubtful disputations? The Greek word for “doubtful” means discussion, consider­ation, debate. It implies that which is question­able, different, and subject to debate or contro­versy. The Greek word for disputations simply means judicial estimation. This implies passing judgment and discrimination. The evident mean­ing of the apostle’s words here is that we are to receive and accept (as saved) a person, even though he or she may not have all the light, knowledge, and progress that we have or that

Page Two FAITH AND VICTORY January 1987

we think they ought to have; not judging or dis­criminating, not discussing or making over such a one’s shortcoming, weakness, or lack. The rest of the chapter is in accordance with this counsel given in verse one. Judging another child o f God and counting him for nothing just because he does not agree or coincide with your con­victions is a great mistake. He spoke about some eating herbs, while others eat everything. He spoke about some esteeming one day above another, while others esteem every day alike. These disputes are similar to other controversial matters. In each case Paul took no side, but earnestly entreated all to not judge one another, but take heed to one’s own self and how he or she stands with God. We are to consider one another and be very careful that liberties taken will not be offensive or discouraging to our brother.

Paul’s discussion in the 14th chapter lays a foundation for what we have before us in the 15th chapter. It is our relationship with one another that is at stake. We have the mind and attitude of Christ applied here. Christ’s attitude toward those who reproached His Father was, “Let them fall on me.” Or, in other words, “Let me bear their blame.” It would have pleased Christ if there would have been no reproaches to have to bear. But such was not the case. This world was in a sad state when He came on the scene. Even the men whom He called to be His disciples were warped in their conception of His work and mission, and had many rough edges that needed attention badly. But was His attitude toward them hostile, impatient, and discrimi­nating? No. He took upon Him self their re­proaches, and the sins of the whole world. He sought not to please Himself. He had an ideal, but He knew full well that the men He was working with were far below this ideal. It would be good for us today to examine closely just what the mind o f Christ really was. I remember hearing a young brother praying, “Lord, give us the power of God!” when he should have been praying, “Lord, help us to let the mind o f Christ be in us!”

Let us examine the Scripture in Psalm 69:9, that is quoted by the writer in this lesson. “For the zeal o f thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.” Let us notice first the expres­sion: The zeal o f thine house hath eaten me up. In John 2:13-17, when Jesus went up to the Passover Feast, He found that oxen, sheep and doves were being sold in the temple. The money changers were also there. The fire o f indigna­tion burned in His soul. He made a scourge of small cords, drove them ALL out o f the temple,

even pouring out the changers’ money, and overthrowing the tables, saying, “ Take these things hence [away]; make not my Father’s house an house o f merchandise!” And it was then that “ his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal o f thine house hath eaten me up [or consumed me].” This bold and radical behaviour of our Lord was characteristic o f the Lion in His manner and spirit. He repeat­ed this stark cleansing o f the temple again toward the close o f His ministry. But let us notice that in this same prophecy that foretold this radical move, He was also foretold to take upon Himself the reproaches or offenses of these people. It is a union of two dispositions working in one man harmoniously. One is the bold, aggressive indignation against iniquity and sin. The other is the tender, loving outreach of the Saviour’s willingness to take the blame for the sins of the whole world.

We see these two natures vividly portrayed in Revelations 5 when John looked to see who was found worthy to open the book that had been sealed with seven seals. The elder described this One as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David. But when John looked, what did he see? He beheld, and lo, there stood a Lamb as it had been slain. There we see the two na­tures blended into one. There is the Lion and there is the Lamb. The Lion denotes strength, rulership, dominion, power, radical, strict, fierce, indignation against sin and wrong. The Lamb denotes gentleness, sacrifice, service, tender­ness, longsuffering, meekness, forbearance, patience, and bearing and forbearing.

As it was with Christ, so must it be with those who follow Him. The ability to be as meek as a lamb and as bold as a lion is not as easy as one might think. Too many times we are soft where we ought to be strong and hard, and strong where we ought to be soft and gentle. It seems to be a mortal weakness to be a little leaning more in one way than in the other. Some are inclined to be more gentle, longsuffer­ing, forbearing, and patient. Others are radical, strict, law-spirited, and anxious to see every­thing and everybody up to the standard as soon as possible. We need both of these natures or dispositions. But they are conflicting at times, and this is where we as human beings seeking to follow Christ get into trouble.

I asked an older minister once concerning some people I knew whom I felt should be more spiritual and up to the standard than what they were. He gave me no answer at first, but the next day he asked me this question: “ Have these people had the same opportunity and chance that you have had?” I had to acknow-

January 1987 FAITH AND VICTORY Page Three

ledge that they had not, being more isolated and remote from the ministry that I had come up under.

It means so much for us to have the mind of Christ in all we say and do. There are so many disputable things today that people do not agree about. This problem can reach ridiculous propor­

tions. One elderly man came among the saints o f God and seemed to fare pretty well for a time. He was radical, bold, and very overbearing with it. He soon became very critical o f the people and began to take issue on different things.

(Continued on Page 16)

Man’s Fall and Restoration

God

Page Four FAITH AND VICTORY January 1987

FAITH AND VICTORY16-PAGE HOLINESS MONTHLY

This non-sectarian paper is edited and published in the interest o f the universal CHURCH OF GOD each month (except August o f each year, and we omit an issue that month to attend camp meetings), by Maybelle Pruitt, Wayne Murphey, and other consecrated workers at the FAITH PUBLISHING HOUSE, 920 W. Mansur, Guthrie, Okla. 73044 (USPS184-860).

(Second class postage paid at Guthrie, Okla.)N otice to subscribers: Whenever you move or change

your address, please write us at once, giving your old and new address, and include your zip code number. The post office now charges 30$ to notify us o f each change o f address.

Dated copy for publication must be received by the 18th of the month prior to the month of issue.

UlNMH SMVK*STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP. MANAGEMENT ANO CIRCULATION

J9 US C )*S5/

lA TlTlCO* PUBLICATION

FAITH 4 VICTORY

IB publication no t? date o* filing

iUUUUUIo 0 | Deceaber l , 1986}. FREQUENCY Of ISSUE

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3A. NO of ISSUES PUBLISHED ANNUALLY

11

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4. COMPLETE MAILING AOCHfSS Of KNOWN OFFICE OF PUBLICATION Orr. C~-lr Suit lit* * C.ttt/ <\*i

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M aybelle P r u it t ; X 920 V . Mansur; G u th rie , Oklahoaa 73044MANAGING EDITOR fMame CeMpHw AdWvttf

Wayne Murphey; X 920 V . Mansur: G u th rie , Oklahoaa 73044T. OWNER (tfmwm* »jr 4 >u mr— «M mmit H twN afra w N w w f; 1*4 m m i «<W of iMrlAetom

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11. . .. \ SIGNATURE AND TITLE OP EDITOR. PUBLtSKER. BUSINESS MANAGER. OR OWNER1 certify thst tha statement* marft by ;me sbovt ere correct and complete ^ u / o y h t - S . 7 f t - Managing E d itor

FAITH PUBLISHING HOUSE P. O. Box 518, 920 W. Mansur, Guthrie, Okla. 73044 Office phone: 405-282-1479; home: 405-282-2262.Postmaster: Please send address corrections to: Faith Publishing House, P. O. Box 518, Guthrie, Oklahom a 73044.SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PAPER—1 YEAR FOR $1.00

EDITORIALSAt the dawn of this new year of 1987, we

extend Christian greetings and best wishes to all our readers. This issue will be reaching a number o f new readers. If this is the first Faith and Victory which you have received, it may be that a friend has subscribed for you in response to our recent offer which is mentioned below. It is our prayer that this paper will prove a spiri­tual blessing to you and your family.

o— o— o— o— o— o— o— oWe are grateful for the response which we

received from the subscription special that was offered. We are still accepting subscription enve­lopes that were sent out in the December Faith and Victory, and if you have not filled yours out and sent it in, we encourage you to do so. If you have lost your envelope or wish to send in addi­tional names, let us know and we will supply you with as many as you need.

The special consists of ten names for one year for five dollars. We will also be sending out the book, Paula, the Waldensian, when it be­comes available, to those who return a com­pleted subscription envelope.

o—o—o—o—o—o—o—oThe bound volumes o f the eleven issues of

the Faith and Victory paper for 1986 are now available. The price is $1.00 per book, plus 70C for postage and handling.

o— o— o— o— o— o— o— oOur stock of 1987 wall calendars is depleted.

We are sorry we were unable to fill all the orders we received.

o—o—o—o—o—o—o—oWe would like to extend our sympathy to

the family of Cecil McCoy, who was a faithful supporter o f this publishing work before his unexpected death on Nov. 24. Our hearts were also touched when we heard of the death of Bro. Ostis Wilson’s son, Wally, and of the death of Sis. Marie Miller o f Thayer, MO.

The families o f Bro. Herman Kelly, Bro. Steve Cable and Sis. Rosella Scott were also affected by the loss of their loved ones. We pray that God’s presence will provide special comfort to each family in their time of sorrow. We are again reminded that death is no respector of persons and that we must all be ready for our time of visitation.

o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o“ Never man spake like this man.’ ’ John

7:46. Many statesmen and people o f renown have proclaimed truths that were worthy o f

January 1987 FAITH AND VICTORY Page Five

being recorded in the annals of history, but the fact still remains that “Never man spake like this man.” Even in the light o f the many vol­umes turned out by such people as Mohammed, Charles Russell, Mary Eddy, Joseph Smith, Ellen White and many other religious leaders, there are none to compare with the words o f Christ.

The effectiveness o f His life and speech were such that even the demons trembled at His words. Christ’s own testimony of His purpose in life is recorded in Luke 4:18, 19, and it would be well for us to remember it. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliv­erance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” This encourages us to know that if we depend upon the Word of Christ we have stabili­ty and an eternal hope that will not fail us.

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto m e.” John 12:32. As we speak the same words o f life in the Spirit o f Christ, we will find people being drawn to the Church. There is something about the pure, untainted gospel that attracts and meets a need in the soul o f man.

It should not be our ambition to propagate our own ideas, but to lift up the words of Christ. Our personal opinions will crush and discourage; Christ’s words will heal and encourage.

—Wayne Murphey-------------------- o---------------------

CARETAKER NEEDED NATIONAL CAMPGROUND

MONARK SPRINGS, MISSOURIAt the fall work day Brother Norman Allen

resigned as caretaker o f the Church o f God N ational Campground at M onark Springs, Missouri. Brother Norman did a real good job of keeping the grounds and we appreciate his work there.

We are praying that the Lord will burden some qualified saint for this much needed work. The person for this job should have a burden for the work, be able and capable o f doing the numerous things required to maintain the Church property and be qualified according to Acts 6:3.

The caretaker’ s house is located on the campground. The house is available to the care­taker rent-free in exchange for the work o f caring for the Church property. Water, electric­ity, and telephone (excluding long distance charges) are also furnished at no cost.

I f you are interested in serving as caretaker of the national campground please contact one

of the Trustees or me. The Trustees are Randall Bradley, Paul Cole, Dale Doolittle, Emmanuel Gracey, Theodore McCray and Dadie Moore.

For the National Campmeeting,—Jim Wall 5817 E. 64 St., Tulsa, OK 74136. Telephone (918) 494-9564.

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SINGING TAPES AVAILABLEThe Church o f God, Dayton, OH singers

will, Lord willing, have available a singing tape number four by mid-January. There is no set charge for these tapes but donations to the Lord’s work would be appreciated. Send your ord ers to : Kenneth Abbott, Jr., 5201 Pollard Way, Dayton, OH 45424.

-------------------- o--------------------RADIO PROGRAM

We would like to announce the Herald o f Truth Broadcast on KGGF in Coffeyville, KS. It is located at 690 on the dial. It begins at 8:15 each Sunday morning. Bro. Emmanuel Gracey felt burdened to carry on a radio broadcast. Pray for him that the Lord will bless him in his efforts here. —Bro. and Sis. Ralph Beisly

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MEETING REPORTS AND NOTICES

GREEN PASTURES, OK MEETING REPORTThe Fall R evival o f the Green Pastures

congregation was a blessed one. Our souls were revived, some were saved and several sought the Lord for spiritual help.

May the Lord bless each o f the ministers, workers, other saints and friends who shared these services with us. Thank you for your prayers and labor of love.

We thank all o f you who shared with our building fund project by giving your means, prayers and time. The project is progressing. May the Lord bless all o f you for helping us. Continue to pray for us that we’ll be all the Lord would have us be.

Yours in Christ, —Sis. Frances Chandler,Secretary

o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o

NOWATA, OK MEETING REPORTTo All o f God’s dear children: We want to

praise God for His wonderful works and His great love and power that He bestowed upon the revival meeting in Nowata, OK in October of 1986. We want to thank the large number o f saints that attended this meeting. The dear saints from Coffeyville, Four Comers, Tulsa and

Page Six FAITH AND VICTORY January 1087

other congregations were so faithful in coming to the meeting. Many of the local people came to the meeting.

We do appreciate all that God is doing among His Church in these evil days we are living in. All praise, honor and glory belong unto God. We want to thank all that took a part in the meet­ing, preparing the meals and o f their means. May God richly bless all is our prayer.

—Bro. Clarence Fry0~-0—0—0—o—o—o—o

GOULDS, FL REVIVAL REPORTWe are very thankful how the Lord blessed

us with our Revival Meeting. The Lord blessed by answering prayers, sending Holy Ghost filled ministers and saints. We also thank God for our local ministers.

Many souls were encouraged during the meeting. We are very grateful. We ask that the Saints continue to remember us in prayer.

—Sis. Geraldine McPhailCHILLICOTHE, OH REVIVAL

Plans have been made for Bro. Danny Layne to hold a revival meeting in Chillicothe, Ohio beginning Jan. 27, 1987 through Feb. 1, 1987. There will be services nightly at 7:00. For more information contact Bro. Paul Brown, phone (614) 663-2825 or Bro. Preston Vulgamore, (614) 226-7071.

For those attending, please bring your own bedding and bath linen if possible. Everyone is welcome. —Cyrhl Brown

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Prayer RequestsFL—“Please pray for my healing.”

—Mrs. Effie ClarkMO—“ I am sick and need prayer.”

—Mattie BaneyCA—“My wife has arthritis in her neck and

right arm. Please pray for her.”—A. R. Whitehouse

LA—Sis. Beulah Johnson is very sick and needs prayer.

MS—Sis. Ethel Lowery needs special prayer. She suffers so much.

MO—“Remember Sis. Emma Whipple and Sis. Goldie Knapp in prayer. Also, I have some unspoken requests.” —Sis. Eunice Cole

AR—“Please remember my husband in prayer He needs help in every way.” —Pearl Steele

OK—“Please pray for my daughter, Norma, she fell and broke her left arm.”

—Bertha ScudderL A —Bro. and Sis. Ben Goldsberry need

much prayer.

TX—Sis. Betty Anderson has some urgent requests.

MT—“We request prayer for my neck trouble and for my husband. He has sores on his legs.”

—Sis. August ElhardWe have received a letter from a man in a

foreign country who feels that he is devil pos­sessed. He is begging for prayer and desires all the saints to petition God to have mercy on him.

My sister, Wilma Anderson, still needs prayer and others also.

It is a privilege to trust God for all our needs and these requests are not printed just to take up space. Dear Saints, please remember each one earnestly in prayer.—Maybelle Pruitt

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From the Mailbox . . .CA—Dear Bro. Murphey and Workers at the

Faith and Victory Print Shop: We send you greetings in Jesus’ dear name. We are thankful for the way God is com forting us. At times when the enemy tries to crush us with great grief, God reminds me that He answered prayer in not letting my dear companion have to lie and suffer for months. I am so thankful that God knows and understands.

With Christian love and prayers,—Sister Agnes Huskey

o—o—o—o—o—o—o—oKS—Dear Saints: We rejoice in the God of

our Salvation. SALVATION! What a wonderful word, or better still, what a wonderful experi­ence. I certainly am enjoying mine and give great thanks to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for bringing the great plan to man and for paying the great price of His own blood that we may freely have it.

I am so glad the Father, Son and H oly Ghost perfected and finished the plan and did not leave anything unfinished for puny man to tamper with and mess up with his earthly wisdom. We appreciate God having ALL wis­dom and ALL power and great majesty and we thank Him for allowing us the privilege to serve and worship Him.

It is so wonderful to be able to have God as our Father, leader, helper, protector and just everything. We feel secure, satisfied, happy, free and simply blessed when we are saved, sancti­fied and truly trusting God to direct our lives and take us through with victory all the way to Heaven in the end.

I have much glory, praise and honor for God today. I love Him, adore Him, appreciate Him and mean by His power to be faithful and true to Him. He is so worthy of all of our praise

January 1987 FAITH AND VICTORY Page Seven

and needs man to serve, worship and praise Him at all times.

Christian love, —Shirley Knighto—o—o—o—o—o—o—o

TN—Dear Bro. Murphey and Co-workers: Greetings in Jesus* lovely name, from East TN.I trust this finds you folks well, encouraged and happy in the work of the Lord. We appreciate the good work there at the publishing house: it’s scriptural purity and soundness. May God con­tinue to bless your efforts in reaching many souls with the gospel truth.

The Lord has blessed us wonderfully in healing my wife who had a stroke in Feb. ’86, and myself also.

Yours for the truth,—Charles B. Williams o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o

GA—Dear Saints of God: Greetings in His dear precious name. My heart is fixed and my mind is made up to follow Him in all I say and in all I do.

I am nearing my 83rd birthday. I am not tired nor given out, but my heart and mind is stayed on Him. Praise his name.

May He ever keep all of you in His care. I have been keeping in touch with you ever since 1934. I have subscribed for the Faith and Vic­tory these many, years.

Pray for me.In Jesus’ name, —Mary M. Dorsey

o—o—o—o—o—o—o—oOH—A few lines to let you all know that we

are so blessed in many ways! We are so grateful for God’s blessings to us. Our new son, Jeremy, is doing real good, thank the Lord.

—Kenneth, Jr., and Mary Abbott

Testimonies and Answers to Prayer

OK—Gracious Greetings Saints everywhere: I never cease to marvel at God’s mercy and His personal attention to poor souls like me. He sent Bro. and Sis. Busbee, and others, to be with us yesterday. The message was EXTREMELY timely. It was about “PEACE” . The Lord blessed Bro. Leslie as he brought verse after verse, re­vealing the m agnificence o f the wonderful “PEACE” that God gives us.

You see, there had been some disturbing conversations in the congregation here at Joseph Harp Correctional Center, and these encourag­ing Scriptures were ju st what was needed. Praise the dear Lord!

May God especially bless the souls that sacrifice to bring Glad Tidings o f Great Joy,

and the others that can’t come but support the work.

Folks, Satan doesn’t like it, when people begin to fight against him, but praise God, “He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world.”

Thank you all for being so faithful.God bless you, —Bro. Elbert Johnson

o—o—o—o—o—o—o—oTX—Dear People o f God everywhere: I hope

this testimony will be printed as my witness of what the Saints and other God-fearing people will declare a miracle. I also know the Lord had to be working.

About a month ago I felt a growth under my tongue. I had been told by a dentist last summer that that particular place would need watching.

My mother, who you know as Sister Jewell McCaskill, saw and felt the growth. I tell you this to substantiate the fact that this was not something “dreamed up” , or something that I over-reacted to. It was very real.

I first visited the dentist who had made my dentures. He examined and x-rayed “the place” , and told me all he could say was that the floor of my mouth “appeared to be puffy” and rec­ommended that I see an oral surgeon. Yesterday, Dec. 9, 1986, an oral surgeon gave me a thor­ough examination, including an x-ray o f my entire mouth. His report was that everything was normal. There was no growth or puffiness of any kind.

This experience has not been dismissed as a perfectly logical happening; it has served to make my faith that much stronger.

Many prayers from the Saints have gone up for me, and I do ask that they continue.

Love, —Wanda Griffitho—o—o—o—o—o—o—o

OR—Blessings to those who work in the Print Shop for the Lord: I have put off giving my brother Steve’s testimony. Bro. Busbee en­couraged me to do so lest I forget. I had prom­ised God I would if He would save Steve’s soul, “ even at the last hour.” God never failed to answer so I don ’t want to fail Him. This is Steve’s testimony.

After some months o f feeling in pretty good health, Steve became short o f breath and the diagnosis was heart failure. He had had heart surgery a little over a year ago. Steve called me at 10 p.m. and poured out his heart to me. He said he “ had decided to live for the Lord four years ago,” and over a year ago had started praying much with others and by himself. A

Page Eight FAITH AND VICTORY January 1987

niece he had prayed with had told him he was saved but he knew he wasn’t. Steve mellowed a lot this year and leaned more toward God.

He became very ill the night before the third Sunday, Oct. 18th, which is all-day services at our church. Bro. Ostis Wilson, Bro. Jim Linch, and Bro. Don Williamson were called to his home. Steve was receptive to Bro. Wilson’s ques­tions on getting saved. He prayed in our pres­ence and finished by answering Bro. Wilson’s questions in the affirmative. He felt at peace, satisfied, and forgiven.

The following week his wife took him to the hospital where he became worse. Bro. Wilson visited him several times, giving him encour­agement with prayers and songs.

On Friday, the 24th, Steve became very low. Bro. Wilson visited him at 2 p.m. I could see a spiritual difference in Steve after this visit. He didn’t know I was beside his bed and I heard him pray, “Please, Lord, let me come to heaven and worship you there. I love you so very much.”

The nurse came in and remarked about him suffering so much and how he was always kind and never grouchy when they administered to him. He would say, “Suffer little children. We are little children you know. It’s alright because I’m exchanging this suffering for Salvation.” The nurse wrote words to that effect on her chart.

He asked certain persons forgiveness and remarked to me how wonderful it is; how God’s love can make you love someone you don’t even like.

At about 4 p.m. he began praying, “Please, Lord make my transition quick and easy.” I don’t think a sinner would ever say those words because he wouldn’t want to face his maker with his sins. It was a precious moment for me. At 6:45 p.m. Steve went home to be with Jesus.

Steve was a very precious brother to me; very thoughtful and giving. He was a man who helped many people but he knew his works wouldn’t save him, he had to repent.

Thank all o f you for your prayers for Steve. Someone else needs your prayers now. Steve is now at peace and rest from his unhappiness on earth. He is now wrapped in God’s love where his pain, sorrow, stress and unhappiness have no place. Steve wanted to get away from his sins and unhappy life, but he didn’t want to “just die.” He wanted to worship God through­out eternity.

Hold onto your unsaved ones in prayer. God may forgive them like the thief on the cross. “This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43.

God is a mighty God; mighty to save. I have a hope to see Steve in heaven one day. Thank God for saving Steve “Just in time.”

Love, —Lorraine Luehring

CA—Dear Saints: This is a new day to count our blessings and live for the Lord. What a joy to know I am a child of God and my body is the tem ple o f the Lord. Jesus has prom ised He would never leave us or forsake us. (Heb. 13:5).

Christmas is almost here and time goes by so fast when you are 83.

In the lovely story o f the three wise men from the east who followed their vision o f a star that led them to the new-born Christ, there shines an everlasting truth for all our human souls. It is the truth that on any day there can be some new sign of God’s purpose which we are meant to see—and, having seen, to follow.

My love to all o f you there at the Publishing House. Your little paper has been a blessing to me for many years. —Sister Lucille S. Allen

o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o

MO—Dear Sis. Maybelle, Co-workers and Saints everywhere: Greetings o f love in Jesus’ precious name. This finds me still saved and trusting in the Lord for my every need. He has surely been a faithful friend and answered my prayers so many times.

My heart is burdened for all the young people who are being brought up without the knowledge of knowing about Jesus and what a real Chris­tian is. I am so thankful that I was reared in a Christian home and brought up on the old-time gospel. It has been a big influence on what I am today.

So many o f my loved ones are too busy with the cares of this world to have time for Jesus. I pray that God will watch over them for me and that someday they will accept Jesus as their Savior. Like so many others they have time for business and time for pleasure but no time for Jesus. My one desire is to be more like Jesus every day. I want to stay humble all the days of my life.

In Jesus name, —Sis. Violet Sinkhomo—o—o—o—o—o—o—o

AL—Dear Saints: It has been some time since I have written a testimony. The Lord has been blessing our fam ily and our little con­gregation. Our congregation started out with one saved person holding out for the Lord. The Lord didn’t do things over night, but He brought one at a time into the fold. For the last several years we have been meeting in homes. We have had some precious meetings. Ministers and

January 1987 FAITH AND VICTORY Page Nine

saints would come through and it helped to keep us encouraged. I appreciate all the love shown to us over the years. The Lord has recently blessed us another time. He worked things out that we could have a little chapel. It isn’t a big fancy building but we all appreciate having a public m eeting place. When you do without something awhile, you really appreciate having it. The Lord knows just what we need and when we need it. He has answered so many prayers lately. All of this makes me to know that if we have something we are praying for, not to give up. The Lord will answer in His way and His time.

Pray for our congregation that we would shine forth for God.

Christian love, —Betty Herrono—o—o—o—o—o—o—o

OK—I’m now serving a life-sentence for my w ife ’ s death. When I was in the Oklahom a County jail waiting for trial, with a D.A. asking for the death penalty, I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. I was born- again; bom of God. The burden of sin I once had was gone and the peace of God is now in my heart. The joy of Divine forgiveness is mine as well as everlasting life! I know my name is now recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and I ’m no longer under condemnation. I am for­given by my faith in Christ.

God has blessed me with a lot of good things since I accepted Jesus into my life. He showed me love and peace and restored me back to sanity. I was powerless and lost when I accepted the Lord to be my Saviour. I praise God today that I feel a whole lot of peace and love. I would like to share my prayer with you:

Dear God, I am in prison, but I know that I am not alone. I know that You are with me and w aiting patiently for me to call on You for comfort. Please help me to say and do the right things from this moment on! I will read the Bible daily and pray; and turn the other cheek when someone offends me. I will give You the glory for saving my soul. I will never be ashamed to confess that you alone have spared me from going to Hell! I love You because You first loved me. I praise You and I know I’ll never be alone again. I will witness to others around me, in Jesus’ name. Amen. —Delbert Wayne Adair

-------------------- o--------------------It is often our own imperfection w hich makes us

reprove the im perfections o f others — a sharp-sighted self-love o f our own, which cannot pardon the self- love o f others. The passions o f other men seem in ­supportable to him w ho is governed by h is ow n .—

—Fen el on

FOREIGN MISSION REPORTSFrom the Philippines . . .

Nov. 17—Dear Sister Maybelle: Greetings in the Mighty Name o f Jesus. I trust this letter finds you happy, strong, and ever victorious in His service.

We just visited our two new outreaches and were successful in encouraging the brethren. Communism is a great menace that sows fear and torments the minds o f our brethren here. Many Protestant churches in the mountains and in the provinces have closed down. Their ministers have fled leaving the flock to be de­voured by the hands o f the communists. Their flocks need workers to tend their spiritual needs. My wife and I are challenged to visit these orphaned congregations and this will be our great opportunity to teach the Evening Light Gospel Truth . . .

We always include you in our prayers. God bless you and give you health and victory so His work may continue.

In Christian love,—Bro. Xavier Prado and Family

o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o

From India . . .Nov. 17—Our dearly beloved elder Sister

Maybelle, Bro. Wayne Murphey and other faith­ful servants of God in the Print Shop and the dear saints scattered abroad in America: Greet­ings of Christian love to you all dear ones again in the gracious name o f Jesus. Thank you very much for your kind letter dated Nov. 6 and the enclosures were noted with much appreciation and gratitude from the bottom of the heart. May God bless and reward each dear one who donated to the fund to help the Lord’s work in India.

We had a wonderful youth camp at Chala- kudy two weeks ago. Many young people from the Catholic church attended the camp. I was there from the beginning to the end and preached on the “Remission through Christ.” Several got saved and consecrated. We plan to conduct another youth camp at Karikkom during the last week of December.

Lord willing, I decide to start to the northern region o f Kerala state tomorrow for another visit to the congregations there. I have to con­duct a wedding service at Challissery and meet­ings at Athani, Kodali, Kodassery, Chayppan- kuzhy and Chalakudy.

Our 21st General convention is scheduled to be conducted on the 3rd week of January 1987 at Karikkom. I wish if some of the dear saints from the church in America could participate in our convention and visit our church here. When

Page Ten FAITH AND VICTORY January 1987

I visited America in 1985 many expressed their desire to come over to India. May the will o f God be done in this case also. Please pray for the blessings and needs of this convention.

The new work in Tamil Nadu is also in much progress. Quite recently two Hindu families got saved there and are coming to church. Let us pray for each other; for the needs there and here.

Yours in Him, —John Vargheseo—o—o—o—o—o—o—o

From River State, Nigeria . . .Dec. 14—Our dearly beloved Sister Maybelle

Pruitt, Bro. Wayne Murphey, all others in the Print Shop and the dear saints scattered abroad: We send our loving greetings to you all in the glorious name of Jesus Christ. We thank God and we thank you all for your prayers for the healing of my body. What you have done is not a small matter.

I am not an educated man, but a native preacher. It has been my desire to reach many places with this gospel, but Satan brought this sickness and hindered me. Continue your prayers that I may preach the gospel in my old age.

We are praying for you all and your work there.

Yours in Christ, —B. Ben Taylor-------------------- o--------------------

M ay B e ll R o b in so n was born to Henry and Corine Robinson on May 30, 1902 in Bir­mingham, Alabama and departed this life on August 18, 1986.

In coming to Oklahoma she attended school in Hoffman and Grayson, Oklahoma.

In December 1928, she met and married Johnny Williams of Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

Her childhood days were spent in the Church of God. She had been saved for many years and and was faithful to attend church and camp meetings until her health failed.

Her father and mother preceded her in death.Her survivors are, one sister, Ada Bruner of

Tulsa, Okla.; one brother, Henry F. Robinson of Inglewood, Calif.; two sister-in-laws, Sarah Robinson and Winnie Robinson; niece, Gertrude Wilson o f Tulsa, Okla., a host o f nieces and nephews and many friends and saints.

Funeral services were held August 23, 1986, at Tulsa, Oklahoma, with Bro. Charles Lowe officiating.

Christine Jordan was bom on August 18, 1946, to Nathaniel and Vemell Jordan Flint in Pumpkin Center, Oklahoma. She later moved to Okmulgee, OK, where she attended Attucks Elementary School and graduated from Dunbar High School. She attended college in Durant, Oklahoma and also Oklahoma State Tech in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. She resided in Okmulgee, Oklahoma for 31 years, then later moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she lived until she parted this life on October 14, 1986.

Her stepfather, Leroy Flint, preceded her in death.

Her survivors include, two sons, Payton and Tyron White o f the home; father, Nathaniel Jordan o f Vinita, Oklahoma; mother, Vemell Flint of Tulsa, Oklahoma; grandmother, Lizzie Jordan of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; three brothers, Jerry and Freddie L. Flint, both of Okmulgee, Oklahoma and Louis Jordan of Los Angeles, California; six sisters, Erma J. Payne of Morris, Oklahoma, Doris o f Michigan, Marie Ruff, Alice, Kathleen Flint and Brenda Williams, all o f Tulsa, Oklahoma and a host o f relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held October 18, 1986 at Tulsa, Oklahoma, with Bro. Woodrow Warren officiating.

o—o—o—o—o—o—o—oBro. Steve Cable was born April 20, 1908

in Havana, Kansas to William and Anna Cable. He passed away November 26, 1986, at the home of his daughter.

He moved with his parents to Wann, OK as a young boy and grew to manhood there. He was drafted to the Army and served overseas in World War II. In 1942 he found the Church of God and embraced the truth and rejoiced in the light o f God’s salvation. He married Margaret H. Benson June 9, 1946. To this union one daughter was bom, Violet M. Williamson. His wife preceded him in death, December 3, 1978. For a while he strayed from the truth, but later found the Lord and was faithful till he passed on. He loved the Lord and the people o f God more than life. He leaves to mourn, his daughter and two grandchildren, Diane and George o f Welch, OK; two sisters, Bertha Laughlin o f Copan, OK, and Emma Jo Roberts of Lawndale, California; nieces, nephews, saints and friends.

Funeral services were conducted at the Thomas Funeral Home, Welch, OK, on Nov. 29, 1986, by Brother Clifford Wilson and Sister Margaret Eck.

o—o—o—o—o—o—o—oI want to thank the saints for their prayers,

calls, cards, food, flowers and for visiting us

January 1987 FAITH AND VICTORY Page Eleven

during Daddy’s sickness and death. Also thank those who stayed with us during the nights. May God bless each one as only He can. Thank you again.

-—Violet Williamson, Diane and George o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o

Herman Dean Kelley was bom in Hoffman (Okmulgee County), Oklahoma, July 28, 1922 to Leola Colm an and Van Kelley. He was the oldest son of three children. Herman D. Kelley was received into God’s Eternal Kingdom, Nov. 25, 1986.

Herman attended grade school in Hoffman and high school in Grayson, Oklahoma. On January 2, 1943, he was joined in Holy Matri­mony to Odever Elizer Ligons before entering the United States Army in March, 1943. To this union, six children were bom. One son, Charles G. Kelley preceded him in death in August of 1986 and one granddaughter in 1977.

Herman served his country as a Platoon Leader in Security Section in Hawaii and Saipan. After being discharged in December o f 1945, he returned to Hoffman to work on the farm and to family life. He later worked on a railroad for three years as a section hand before moving his family to Wichita, Kansas in 1950. That same year, he went to work for the Goodyear Rubber Company where he was employed until 1960.

After returning from Saipan, as a young family man, he accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. In Wichita, he was an active and faithful member o f the Church o f God. Herman served on the Trustee Board, was a Sunday school teacher and served in the minis­try as an ordained deacon and minister and assistant to the pastor, Bro. Lewis Williams, there at Wichita. In 1961, Herman, his wife (also an ordained minister in the church) and their six children moved to Oklahoma City where he was installed as pastor of the Church of God at Third and Phillips. In the latter part o f 1969, Bro. Kelley’s pastorial incumbency was extended to the Oklahoma City suburb o f Spencer, located at 57th and Denver, where he served faithfully until the fall o f 1980.

In addition to pastoring the two congrega­tions, Bro. Kelley worked full time for the Veterans Administration for nine years. In 1976, he was compelled to retire from work and confine his pastorial duties to the congregation in Okla. City. Here Bro. Kelley and his wife served faithfully as a team until his death.

Bro. Kelley was a man of hospitality, open­ing his home to ministers, lay people, friends, family and the homeless alike. It was not un­common for people to live in with his family for

weeks or even months at a time, and he shared all that he had, never asking for anything in return. His favorite pastime, when not serving others, was fishing. He often extended his hospi­tality to guests in the home to an afternoon of fishing and Christian fellowship. As a devoted family man, Herman enjoyed cooking and pre­paring special meals for his children and grand­children. He was especially devoted to his wife and loved her as described in Eph. 5:25. He was a generous man; money had only one purpose to him—to spend, and to be a blessing to others.

Despite his mild manner and meek and quiet spirit, he was a man o f courage and strong religious convictions. Like men of courage, vision and conviction before him, he will be missed, remembered and emulated, as his works are sure to follow him and his visions fulfilled.

Bro. Kelley leaves to cherish his memory, a loving and devoted wife, o f the home; three daughters, Mary E. Eddens, Herma Leen Camp­bell and Evelyn Kelley Williams, all o f Okla. City; two sons, Sherman Van o f Okla. City and James Lewis of Anadarko, Okla.; 15 grandchil­dren; one sister, Ceola Foster o f St. Louis, Mo.; one brother, Curtis Kelley o f Tulsa, Okla.; one aunt, Ella Belton o f Kansas City, Ks.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, friends, church members and contemporaries in the ministry.

YOU ARE “ MY HERO”

(In Memory of My Beloved Husband)It must have been cold there in the shadow; To seldom have sunlight on your face.You’ve been content to let others shine;You always walked a step behind.They were the ones with all the glory,But you were the one with all the strength: Only a face without a name;I never once heard you complain.Did you ever know that you’re my hero;And everything I’d like to be?I can fly higher than an eagle;With you as the wind beneath my wings.It might’ve appeared to go unnoticed,But I’ve got it all right here in my heart.I want you to know “ I know the Truth” ,I would be nothing without you.Did you ever know that you’re my hero?And everything I’d like to be.I can fly higher than an eagle;With you as the wind beneath my wings.For you are the wind beneath my wings.

—Odever E. Ligons Kelley

Page Twelve FAITH AND VICTORY January 1987

THANK YOUWe wish to thank each of you for your phone

calls, cards, telegrams, food, visits, prayers and all acts of love during the illness and loss o f our dearly beloved husband, father and grandfather. May God bless you is our prayer according to Hebrews 6:10; “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

In the love o f our Lord Jesus Christ;—The Family of Bro. Herman D. Kelley

-------------------- o--------------------M arie Gaines Miller, daughter of the late

Charles E. Stroup and Matilda Ida Cole Stroup, was bom March 17, 1902 at Springfield, Illinois, and departed this life December 3, 1986 at her home at Thayer, Missouri, at the age o f 84 years, 8 months, and 16 days.

She was united in marriage July 17, 1921 at Athol, Kansas to Herbert Otto Gaines, who preceded her in death November 8, 1961. Later she was united in marriage December 15, 1963 at Thayer, Missouri to Wayne Sutton Miller, who preceded her in death November 28, 1969. Her parents; two sons, Kenneth Warren Gaines and Charles Aaron Gaines; four brothers, one sister, and five grandchildren also preceded her in death.

She is survived by five sons, Gordon Gaines of Grants Pass, Oregon, Herbert Gains of Mam­moth Springs, Arkansas, Clayton Gaines o f Thayer, Missouri, Ray Gaines of Provo, Utah, and Victor Gaines o f Scranton, Kansas; five daughters, Martha East of Scranton, Kansas, Lea DuBois of Thayer, Missouri, Lois Moreland of Sidney, Iowa, Mae Poulette and Myrtle Sorrell both o f Thayer, Missouri; one brother, Oliver Stroup of Kirwin, Kansas; one sister, Ella Mae Gaines o f Phillipsburg, Kansas; forty-three grandchildren, fifty-one great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, several step­children, and several step-grandchildren.

Mrs. Miller was a member o f the Myrtle Church of God. She accepted the Lord as her Saviour and served Him for over 40 years.

Funeral services were held in the Church of God Chapel, Myrtle, Mo., on Dec. 6, 1986. The officiating ministers were Bro. Donald Sharp and Bro. Carl Shaffer.

Interment was in the Myrtle Church of God Cemetery, Myrtle, Missouri.

A LOVING GRANDMOTHER One who had that special way,

of being dear and sweet;Grandmother, one who made,

life wonderful, complete.

Many good memories to recall,o f love that encompassed her family;

Life of godliness that she saw, in doing deeds of quality.

“ I love you” , she remembered to say, by godly deeds done everyday.

Never being too old to pray,when another opportunity came her way.

As we pay our last regards,we thank God that His grace

Our dear loved one did safely guard, this life she lived with faith.

Now God gave her to help us, in this world in which we live,

For our joy and happiness;she fulfilled with much to give.

As a loving tender wife,a sweet and humble mother,

This was her daily lot in life; our loving grandmother.

—Marie Benson -------------------- o--------------------

Question and Answer Columnby

Ostis B. Wilson

Question: To what extent does God know the fixture in our individual lives? Does He know our ultimate end? Did God know absolutely which choice Adam and Eve would make in the garden?

A nsw er: I will say that the questioner has asked a difficult question here and is treading in far out territory. When we finite creatures with our little finite minds endeavor to analyze and categorize God, we can’t go very far until we are left swinging in mid air. I am sure I will not be able to satisfy the mind of this questioner but will present a few suggestive thoughts.

One thing we can know for certain is that God knows everything that is going on in our lives—words, thoughts, deeds, attitudes, and feelings all the time and absolutely nothing is hidden from Him. Hebrews 4:13 says, “ . . . all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Ecclesiastes 12:14 says, “ God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing . . .” Then it is certain there is noth ing secret to God or hidden from Him. Jesus was a jump ahead of His adversaries all the time because He knew what they were thinking in their hearts before they said or did anything and He out-maneuvered them at every turn.

January 1987 FAITH AND VICTORY Page Thirteen

As to just how thoroughly God knows the future of our individual lives, I am not able to say. But I believe we have Scriptures to prove that we have something to do with that our­selves. Galatians 6:7 says, “ Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Every person is chart­ing his own future day by day right now. In Matt. 7:2 Jesus said, “ . . . and with what meas­ure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Whatever we give out in our dealings with other people; it will come back to us just like we put it out. Therefore, we should all be real particular to put out such things in our lives that we will be glad to see them coming back. Our futures are all affected by our choices and decisions we make now and are determined by the seed we are sowing now. It seems clear to me that we are all on trial and probation here and God lays out His course o f life for us and if we walk in it He will bless us and if we don’t He won’t. But the choice is ours. I feel that I can say with certainty that if we take God’s way and commit our lives into His hands that He surveys our lives far enough ahead of us to prepare us for any eventualities and protects us from any traps or snares the enemy has set for our feet down the line. Psalms 139:3 says, “Thou com- passest [winnoweth: margin] my path . . . ” This indicates that the Lord goes ahead of us in our path and winnows out the things there that He seeks to spare us from and leaves the things He wants us to meet with and this confirms what has been said before.

Does God know our ultimate end? I am sure everyone will not agree with me when I say this but I do not believe that He does. I am not at this time convinced of that. I do not in any way diminish or discount God’s omnicience in say­ing this. I recognize that God has the power to know the ultimate end of every one of the bil­lions of people of earth but I do not feel that He chooses to exercise that power. In other words, I believe God knows everything He wants to know and needs to know to properly handle His affairs and deal with every man as He should in all fairness and mercy. Let me say it this way, if I believe that God has the power to know every thing; then by the same token I believe He has the power to put out of His mind anything He wants to put out o f it and to not know any thing He doesn’t want to know. And in the very nature of things, I believe this is one thing He does not choose to know; at least up to a certain point. One brother said he was praying about this very thing and asking Him if He really knew everything. And He said God answered him and said “ I know everything I want to know.” That

seems to me a reasonable premise in this regard.It would seem to me that if God allowed

Himself to know our ultimate end, it would be difficult for Him to deal with men as the Bible tells us that He does to bring them to salvation. And in my little mind I would have difficulty associating much meaning to the command to His disciples to evangelize the world and .take the gospel to every creature and all who will believe will be saved and all that believe not shall be damned. What meaning would this have if He knew before hand what would be the ultimate end of each person. Read Job 33:14-30, which describes the different ways and means God uses in His dealings with men. Verses 29 and 30 says God works all these things often with men to bring back his soul from the pit and to enlighten him with the light of the living. What meaning would all this have if God knew they would not be drawn back from the pit anyway. It is clear in the Scriptures that sal­vation in its provision is universal (Christ tasted death for every man—Heb. 2:9) and is offered unto all on a “ whosoever will” basis and the choice is up to each individual as to whether he will accept it and be saved or reject it and be lost in the end.

Did God know absolutely which choice Adam and Eve would make in the Garden? I am fully conscious that God thoroughly understood and knew the risk involved in creating man as He did; a free acting agent with the power of choice and free exercise o f will. He fully understood the possibility o f sin when He gave them the com­mandment He did. But that commandment gave workability to their exercise and free choice. A service of free choice prompted by the free will of the individual is the only thing that would satisfy the yearning in the heart of God for love and com panionship from a moral intelligent being. He created man an intelligent and moral being like Himself capable of responding to love and giving love in return and thus fulfilling that yearning that God had. He could have made man a robot with power only to do as he was programmed to do but that would not have fulfilled the deep yearning for love and companionship that God had.

This would have been the only way that He could have eliminated the possiblity o f sin. God knew this so He made ample provision for such a situation in the event it happened in the plan of salvation which He made. And the plan o f salvation is so complete, perfect, compre­hensive and all-encompassing as to meet every need o f mankind that it certainly demonstrates that God knew well what He was about when He set it up. To say that God absolutely knew

Page Fourteen FAITH AN D VICTORY January 1987

what Adam and Eve would do and all the doleful and devastating consequences of it all would be to reduce the whole human and spiritual drama to a kind of war games situation between God and the devil to see which one could out do the other and to set man up in the middle as a target to catch the full blunt of the whole oper­ation and as a prize for the winner. Also that God’s deep yearning for a family and love and companionship overcame His better judgment and He just went ahead and made man anyway.

I do not, I cannot think of God in that way. I know God could know everything if He chose to, but I believe He has wisdom to not know some things and it is a mutual advantage to Him and us for Him to not know those things. God never created man for a target between Him and the devil. He made him upright (Eccl. 7:29), in His own im age and after His own likeness (Gen. 1:26-27) and wanted him to stay that way. The fellowship and communication between them in the garden was perfect and sweet and God wanted it to continue that way. But man, by an act of his own will and by his own choice believed the lie of the devil and was deceived into disobeying the commandment they had and lost their righteous estate and fell into sin which changed the whole picture. Then God set about to bring His plan of salvation into action which He did approximately 4000 years later in His Son Jesus Christ.

Q vT H E F R U IT O F T H E S P IR ITThe Scripture reads that God is. . . Love,

And I would like to be.billed with the everlasting..................Joy,

T hat conieth from above.Jesus said, “ I give iny.................... Peace,

I

Yet* ................ ......... w ..... J

many say, “ Must I ......... Suffer long, 0*That rest may enter in?”

Bow to His will a n d .............. . Gentleness, &So hard to lind today, $

Will enter then w ith................ . Goodness, t 0I feel so sure to say.

Accept the mighty truth by. . . . . . Faith, <35And surely you will see A change from strength to . . . . Meekness

P rom just a simple plea.In all things find a ..................Temperance

In weakness there is strength.This fruit will tell th e .........................Story

And God will give you REST.— M ildred G. BallJ

o

HOME LIFE

Thoughtfulness—Part o f First Love

The living room had looked tidy until the children came in, took o ff their coats, hats, shoes, and socks at random and the dishes from the covered-dish dinner were set upon the piano bench. I walked into the scene with a crying baby in my arms.

“Okay,” I said, “ everybody put up your stuff where it belongs and would someone please set the dirty dishes on the kitchen cabinet until I can get to them? I need to care for Kevin right now.”

It was Sunday afternoon and we had just come in from the Path of Life School. My brother, his wife, Dwane and I had taken our turn fixing a lunch for the Job Corp young people who come to church with Sister Joyce Cunningham. We had had a nice time but now we were feel­ing the relaxed let-down after a high-geared preparation.

The children put their things up while I changed the baby. There were only three clean diapers in the caddy so I had to put another load of diapers in to wash. Then I sat down to feed the baby and read to the children. Kevin, Jennifer, and Rodney fell asleep, so I laid them each one in their beds and went to tackle the kitchen situation. Dwane had set the dirty dishes on the cabinet top as requested.

January 1987 FAITH AND VICTORY Page Fifteen

We had fixed Shake ’n’ Bake chicken and scalloped potatoes and what wasn’t eaten was stuck fast to the three cookie sheets and three casserole dishes. I put the worst to soak while I washed all the other things. The telephone rang and woke up the baby. I answered the phone and Dwane got the baby. When I hung up the phone, I glanced at the clock. It was almost church time! The kitchen was nearly dean except for the soaking dishes. “Oh,” I thought, “what a terrible chore to come home to late at night after church!” For a moment I hesitated; Should I leave those dirty dishes? I turned out the light and walked out of the kitchen. I have loved to go to church ever since a child.

In the living room Lyndall was on one couch and Susan on another, both fast asleep. Dwane was in the rocker subconsciously rocking the sleeping baby in one arm and an open book in the other hand. His eyes were shut.

“Dwane, it’s church time,” I said.Dwane opened his eyes and struggled to sit

up. “Get the children around and I’m ready to go,” he said.

I smiled and sighed at the same time. “Looks like everyone is asleep but me and I’m probably the most tired,” I said. “Maybe I shouldn’t go tonight. I feel like crying anyway.”

“ Why? What’s wrong?” Dwane asked, but he really already knew. It was Vickie’s birthday. She would be seven years old now. Jesus took her to be with Him in June, 1984, but I still miss her, and on her birthdays I can’t help but re­member her birth and the few short birthdays she had seen. Death does not quench a mother’s love.

“Honey,” Dwane said, “you get ready and go by yourself tonight while I watch the chil­dren. That will do you some good.”

I consented. I hadn’t been out of the house but once since Wednesday night prayer meeting and I knew I needed encouragement. I went to get my coat, purse, and Bible and came back around to see Dwane putting Kevin in his wraps and carrier.

“ I thought you were going to watch the children?” I said.

“Now, honey, you know I can’t watch the baby. What if he cries? How will I feed him?”

“ Okay,” I said, “ Come on, my little pre­cious. I f you decide to cry, we w ill just cry together.”

The minute I walked into the chapel, I was so glad I had come. The singing was sweet and there were testimonies before prayer. We heard how the Lord had healed and encouraged dif­ferent ones. Then Bro. Leslie Busbee preached on keeping our first love. Never forget that we

were won to Christ by His love. “We love him, because he first loved us.” I John 4:19. We need to hang in our hearts the picture of Christ at Calvary dying for our sins. Jesus had enough love to look beyond faults and see the need. He spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) and the sinner woman who washed his feet with her tears (M atthew 26:6-13). Both women went away changed by the acceptance and love o f Christ.

Bro. Leslie used the Scriptures in Titus 3:1-5 and Rev. 2:2-4 and by the time he was through, we all felt more of the love of God burning in our souls. There was prayer at the altar and some­one was anointed and prayed for for healing. More testimonies were given and local missionary work encouraged. By the time we dismissed with prayer, the hour was late, but I felt so much lighter in my heart.

As I drove up to our dark, silent house, I felt like I had more energy to face life; and those dirty dishes, too! I carried a quiet baby over the path to our house. Kevin had never known he was at church. He had slept through it all.

Jennifer came running to me as I walked in the door.

“Oh, Mommy!” she said. “I’m so glad that it ’ s you and not som e giant with the key!”

“You’re to be asleep,” I laughed, giving her a hug and kiss.

“No,” Jennifer said, “We all woke up and Daddy put pajamas on us and put us all back to bed again! But first we had a snack. Come, Mommy, come and see the kitchen!”

Jennifer took hold of my hand and led me to the kitchen where I expected to see more dirty dishes yet. Instead I saw clean cabinet tops, an empty dish drainer and two damp dish towels draped over it. Underneath the dish drainer was a foot stool and two little trucks parked neatly beside it.

“We did your dishes for you so you wouldn’t have to do them,” Jennifer said. Then she gave an important sigh. “ We just love you t-h-a-t much!”

“Oh, thank the Lord!” I exclaimed.With thoughtfulness in our home and church,

the fruit of our first love multiplies and grows.—Sis. Connie Sorrell

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Our wills should be at one with the will of God. What He should will to be or not to be in our lives should be our will. Whether we have or do not have; whether we suffer or do not suffer; whether we live or die; whether we know or do not know; whether we do or leave undone, in all we say, “Not my will, but thine be done.”

—C. E. Orr

Page Sixteen FAITH AND VICTORY January 1987

Receiving One Another(Continued from page 3)

Soon he fell out entirely with everyone except one preacher who seemed to have the same views as he did. Oh, how happy they both seemed! They were just having the biggest time together. Another brother told me that he witnessed the occasion when these two men fell out with each other. And it was over women preachers!

I have observed through the years many mistakes made, m any unwise words spoken, much confusion and heartache, and disagree­ments among the saints of God that could have been avoided if people would consider the coun­sel o f brother Paul in our lesson here. Some of us are inclined to be what we might call extreme in our views and convictions. And we want everyone to agree with us, and if they do not, we have a tendency to reject or cast them aside. Some of us are inclined to be more liberal in our thinking. We need one another to help balance ourselves out. The sad thing is that too many times such conflicts come to open breaks and breaches in fellowship. This would not be if we would seek to receive one another, not counting each other as enemies when we disagree, but rather seek to edify and admonish one another as brethren. Look at the professed Christian world today. How mixed up and divided every­thing is. Let us seek to follow the admonition of Paul. Seek to please your neighbor, your brother, your fellow man for his good to edification. Be patient with your brother. Do not be quick to condemn or censure. Just because he or she does not agree with you on every detail do not judge, condemn, and execute them. Receive them. If they have positive fruits o f being saved and washed in the blood and they have been changed from the old life, be careful how you treat them. Remember that they are your brother. Let us even be careful how we judge people who do not worship with us. They may be really sincere, just not having the full light that we have. This is a big wide world, and God alone is the true judge of men’s hearts. As Christ received us by His mercy and grace, bearing with us, forgiving, loving, instructing patiently, let us receive one another, bear with each other, pray for one another, and do all we can to help pull things together. Some may be easier for you to have fellowship with than others, but do not be hasty to shun or condemn the rest. Let us have a brotherly heart, reaching our hands in fellow­ship to every bloodwashed soul. Let us receive one another in the spirit o f meekness, consider­ing our own helplessness and utter need before God, and esteem others better than ourselves.

—Leslie C. Busbee

25 Years A goExcerpts Taken From

January, 1962 Faith and Victory“ Our Assembly meeting here at Ham­

mond, La. during the week of Thanksgiv­ing was very precious. Many of our young folks came to the altar. My youngest broth­er, Carroll, got saved and my sister, Dianne, along with others, came forward. My heart is full o f joy and thanksgiving to God for them. A gain I knew He had answeredprayer. —Gladys Cashio

“I thank my God daily for the Chris­tian people who can show others by their daily living that they have found the new birth in Christ whereby the Lord has put within them a new heart. Therefore, I thank the Lord for men like you, and for such a Christian paper like the Faith and Vic­tory, by which sinners can find Christ through the writings o f God’s people.”

—Sam Nusz“ I feel led to warn you about the cares

of life and the deceitfulness of riches. Read I Tim. 6:5 . . . Some seem to think that because they are prospering in this world’s gain that they are spiritual. But this verse says, 'Supposing that gain is godliness.’ Suppositions are oftentimes untrue; there­fore they are unsafe to place our soul's welfare upon.” —Murphy Allen

“ Bro. Ostis Wilson was here at Guthrie while the pastors, Bro. and Sis. Stover, attended the Oregon Assembly meeting . . . Bro. Wilson held a few nights’ meeting in addition to taking care of the regular ser­vices. His preaching was very uplifting and a blessing to the saints. The ‘pure minds’ of the saints were stirred to a greater diligence.” —Fred Pruitt